In secondary schools throughout the Czech Republic, state matriculation exams begin on Thursday. Over 75,000 freshmen are waiting for a math or English test. The majority of people have chosen the high school diploma in English since 2011, when the state form of the exam was introduced.
Prague
6:40 a.m May 2, 2024
Share on Facebook
Share on LinkedIn
Print
Copy the url address
Abbreviated address
Copy to clipboard
Close
Matriculation exam | Source: Profimedia
Jolana Kampfová, a student of the Nad Alejí Gymnasium in Prague, graduates for the first time this year. Even though she has already been accepted to Harvard, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, she is nervous about the exam.
Children needlessly go to non-matriculation courses, even if they have more to do, says sociologist Prokop
Read the article
“I hope that the teaching of the last eight years will prepare me for the didactic tests. I’ve already taken a few tests for extended mathematics, but I haven’t seen a single didactic test for the English language, only some problems from the Czech language. I hope I didn’t underestimate it and I won’t burn out,” the student confided to Czech Radio.
Didactic tests are not evaluated by marks, but by percentages and the words “passed” or “failed”.
Jolana Kampfová takes didactic tests in the Czech language, which is compulsory for all high school graduates. Jolana chose English from the compulsory optional subjects, which are mathematics or a foreign language.
The majority of other high school graduates choose the same way. The popularity of the high school diploma in mathematics is traditionally low among students. This year, however, a total of 15,000 students chose it, a thousand more than last year.
Most students prefer English. In the last four years, around eighty percent of the freshmen have chosen it. This year, the most people will graduate from this language since 2011, when state matriculation exams were introduced.
Exceptions among high school graduates
The exception confirming the rule are the students of the Nad Štolou grammar school in Prague, who preferred the mathematical didactic test.
“It’s easier for them because it’s one test. While after the language test, they still have a paper and an oral exam,” explained Renata Schejbalová, director of the Nad Štolou grammar school and president of the Association of Grammar School Directors.
Instead of mathematics, graduates can also choose other foreign languages. Hundreds of students signed up for the German and Russian exams, about 150 people will graduate from Spanish, and about 70 students are signed up for French.
Changes? Postponed
The systemic change of matriculation exams was a big topic two years ago, during which time the head of the Ministry of Education changed twice. It is not a priority for the current minister Mikuláš Bek (STAN).
In previous years, eight million were paid for the distribution of tests, now it will be about two and a half, the head of CERMAT believes
Read the article
For example, the case of students who fail the matriculation exam or who finish high school in their last year is specific.
“It is important that they receive a formal certificate of their professional qualifications, with which they could prove themselves on the labor market. From the point of view of the system, such a pupil has only achieved basic education,” said EDUin analyst Nikola Šrámková.
This year, for the first time, 75,500 students are going to graduate. According to the company Cermat, which provides state tests, this is the most in the last ten years. There are also 8,000 retakers, i.e. students who repeat the matriculation exam, registered for the exams.
Eva Mikulka Šelepová, Jud
Share on Facebook
Share on LinkedIn
Print
Copy the url address
Abbreviated address
Copy to clipboard
Close
